Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have been delayed in reporting for Brazil international duty, as the plane carrying the two Newcastle team-mates was forced to turn around due to a broken window. Both players are part of Carlo Ancelotti's squad to face South Korea and Japan and were expected to report in time for a training session this afternoon in Seoul.
Newcastle duo caught up in travel nightmare
The two team-mates were travelling from Amsterdam to Seoul, boarding a flight from the Dutch capital in Tuesday. After the malfunction was reported, their original flight was forced to turn around. Reports by state the pair of midfielders spent 12 hours in the air before they touched back down in Amsterdam.
The delay has left the CBF scrabbling to make alternative arrangements. Joelinton was expected to take a direct flight from the Netherlands, but will not make Ancelotti's session while Bruno was scheduled to take a connecting flight in order to reach South Korea as quickly as possible.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportForest stars beat Newcastle players to Seoul
The pair of Newcastle midfielders were travelling after their club side's 2-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Two of their opponents in that game, Igor Jesus and John Victor, were luckier in their travel arrangements. Both players took part in a training session in Seoul on Tuesday, which was attended by 21 members of Ancelotti's squad.
Bruno and Joelinton's odyssey fair on overworked players?
Neither Newcastle nor the CBF will be happy with the situation, as the added air miles could increase the chance of injury due. to fatigue and a negative impact on recovery. Factoring in the mooted journey, the pair have clocked up more than 10,000 air miles on the way to the game, and face a similarly lengthy journey to return in time for Newcastle's next Premier League game against Brighton on October 18.
It brings into question whether players should be required to travel such vast distances to play in international friendlies during the season, especially given the bloated nature of the modern football calendar.
Getty Images SportJoelinton and Bruno pushing for World Cup places
With Ancelotti's side already qualified for next summer's World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, these friendlies do offer an opportunity for fringe players to put their hand up for selection.
Bruno has been a regular fixture in Brazil's midfield over the past few years. Ancelotti has slotted the 27-year-old into a double pivot with Manchester United's Casemiro in the latter stages of the Selecao's World Cup Qualifying campaign. Barring injury, he will be a part of the five-time winner's World Cup squad.
Joelinton, on the other hand, faces a tougher fight for his spot on the hopefully operational plane to North America. He has yet to appear in either of Ancelotti's previous two squads since the Italian took on the job in May 2025.
The combative midfielder may have to impress on the pitch rather than the training paddock after his travel woes. Brazil take on South Korea in Seoul on Friday night, before travelling to Tokyo to play Japan on October 14. Both will hope their return to Newcastle will be a lot easier, as they return with that tricky away game against Brighton, before welcoming Benfica to St. James' Park in the Champions League.